Germicidal

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  germicidal \ger"mi*ci`dal\ (j[~e]r"m[i^]*s[imac]`dal), a. [Germ
     + L. caedere to kill + -al.] (Biol.)
     Destructive to germs; -- applied to any agent which has a
     killing action upon living microorganisms, particularly
     bacteria or viruses, which are the cause of many infectious
     diseases.


  
     Syn: antiseptic.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  germicidal
       adj : preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of
             microorganisms [syn: {bactericidal}, {disinfectant}]